Pens Take Game Two

The Penguins took a two-game lead over the Flyers last night.  Another hard-fought over, and another 2-0 series lead in the Conference Finals.

Before any of the goal scoring started, Scottie Upshall and Tyler Kennedy got the crowd going by dropping the gloves off of a faceoff.  It was an entertaining scrap which left the fans in a frenzy.

Georges Laraque started the play that broke the 2-2 tie in the third period.  After a quick shot towards the net, Gary Roberts dished it right off to Maxime Talbot, who put it home for the game-winner.

No suspensions

Mike Ribeiro was not suspended for his hack at Chris Osgood Saturday.

However, both Ribeiro and Osgood were fined, as was Steve Ott for his actions against Kris Draper.

Worlds get fiesty

Ilya Kovalchuk and Anton Stralman were roughing it up Saturday, but it was David Backes and Anssi Salmela who really went at it yesterday.  The USA-Finland game was horribly officiated (the side of the net?  really?), and it led to things getting chippy.  By the end, Backes and Salmela had gloves off and were swinging.  The two are now automatically suspended each team’s next game.

US fans can watch the Worlds over at WCSN.

Videos added

Scottie Upshall vs Tyler Kennedy May 11, 2008
Anssi Salmela vs David Backes May 11, 2008

Today’s NHL game

Detroit Red Wings vs Dallas Stars 8:00 PM ET

Some reads

Dallas Stars think return home will provide lift
Wings hit, just aren’t hitting back
Red Wings plan to keep their cool in Game 3
Flyers’ Coburn struck in face by puck, leaves game
Hossa pays off in spades
Canadians admire Latvia’s lovable fans
$ather’s Hard Line on Avery Will Cost Rangers
Basketball vs. hockey playoffs? It’s no contest
Co-owner: Waddell hasn’t been asked to step down
A Net Loss For Washington
Thomas: U.S. teeming with talent
Goalie feels a little tender

Wings Win Again, Ribeiro Slashes Osgood

The Stars are down 2-0 and before the very end of last night’s game, they decided they were going to make the Red Wings feel it before heading back to Dallas.

With about five seconds left, Steve Ott went after Kris Draper, giving him a shot before having the scrum broken up and Ott being escorted off the ice.

The Stars won the ensuing faceoff and Sergei Zubov shot the puck in the Wings zone.  Mike Ribeiro skated after the puck, and Chris Osgood gave him a bump with the butt-end of his stick.  Draper tried to grab onto Ribeiro, but before a scrum could even develop Ribeiro gave Osgood a two-hander to the chest.

Ribeiro received an attempt to injure match penalty, meaning he’s already suspended pending league review.  If I had to guess, I’d say it’s unlikely he’ll see any further playoff action. It seems harsh, but the Wings are already up by two and the highlight of Ribeiro swinging his stick with both hands will be replayed over and over. There will be media pressure on the league, no doubt.

Draper, involved in all of the action at game’s end, wasn’t concerned about Ott, just Ribeiro:

“I’m fine with that,” Draper said of the Ott assault. “He threw a punch at me.

“No harm done. You get up and you go. But something like (the slash on Osgood), that’s right out of Slap Shot. (Ribeiro) just literally . . . intent to injure on our best player. I couldn’t believe it when he did it.”

Osgood said of his butt-end:

“If it did, it was an accident,” he said. “I don’t think it justifies a two-hander over the top of the net.”

And of the slash:

“I do have a lot of padding up there but it got me in the side where I didn’t have much,” he said of the Ribeiro slash. “It did hurt a bit.

“It was kind of a full swing right to the side. But I’ll be fine, I’m sure. A little sore, but I’ll be fine.”

Dominik Hasek didn’t play last night, but his presence was felt when Osgood flopped to the ice like a fish when slashed, only to be up and fine a minute later.  No one expects a slash like that to tickle, but it did seem like overkill.

While we were all looking at the Flyers-Pens series for the war, the Stars and Wings are now sharing the battle spotlight.

Tonight’s game

Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins 7:30 PM ET

Some reads

ESPN: Don Cherry Breaks Down The NHL Playoffs
Stars’ Ott stirs the pot
Flyers playoff goalies from Bernie Parent to Marty Biron
Penguins-Flyers series a war? That’s the idea
Series puts rivalry in state of frenzy
NHL needs to be body slammed (the gist of this is something I’ve written myself quite a few times)
Flyers’ Upshall is feisty and talented
Landing an OHL job doesn’t mean you’ll make the NHL
Roberts: Physical play, fights can shift momentum
Goons on parade: Cote and Laraque
Oilers reincarnated
MLSE suits are still calling all the shots
Cote’s call to arms
What does the future hold for Dan Carcillo?

Conference Finals Preview 2008

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) vs Philadelphia Flyers (6)

Records

Pittsburgh: 47-27-8 (102 pts) Home: 26-10-5 Away: 21-16-3
Philadelphia: 42-29-11 (95 pts) Home: 20-14-6 Away: 21-15-5
Pittsburgh swept the Sens and beat New York in 5. Philadelphia eliminated Washington in 7 and Montreal in 5.

Head-to-Head

Nov 7, 2007 - PIT 1 PHI 3
Nov 10, 2007 - PIT 2 PHI 5
Dec 11, 2007 - PIT 2 PHI 8
Jan 24, 2008 - PIT 3 PHI 4
Feb 10, 2008 - PIT 4 PHI 3
Mar 16, 2008 - PIT 7 PHI 1
Apr 2, 2008 - PIT 4 PHI 2
Apr 6, 2008 - PIT 0 PHI 2
Philadelphia won season series 5-3.

Fighting (did they ever!)

Nov 7, 2007 - Brooks Orpik vs R.J. Umberger
Nov 10, 2007 - Ryan Malone vs Jason Smith
Nov 10, 2007 - Darryl Sydor vs Stefan Ruzicka
Dec 11, 2007 - Ryan Malone vs Jason Smith
Dec 11, 2007 - Gary Roberts vs Ben Eager
Dec 11, 2007 - Ryan Whitney vs Jeff Carter
Dec 11, 2007 - Colby Armstrong vs Scott Hartnell
Jan 24, 2008 - Georges Laraque vs Riley Cote
Jan 24, 2008 - Ryan Stone vs Steve Downie
Feb 10, 2008 - Jarkko Ruutu vs Steve Downie
Mar 16, 2008 - Ryan Malone vs Riley Cote
Apr 2, 2008 - Georges Laraque vs Riley Cote
Apr 2, 2008 - Brooks Orpik vs Joffrey Lupul

Lineup

Goaltending: DRAW
Scoring: EDGE Pittsburgh
Defense: EDGE Philadelphia
Coaching: EDGE Pittsburgh
Grit: EDGE Philadelphia

Schedule

Friday, May 9, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008

Key for Pittsburgh

Show discipline. It's no secret who Philadelphia will be after. The Rangers went for the "diver" angle and it didn't do a whole lot. Philadelphia won't be afraid to use every trick in the book and we'll really see what the young guns are really made of.

Key for Philadelphia

Marty Biron. Philadelphia is capable of matching Pittsburgh offensively... it's up to Marty to continue to shut the door. He's been the busiest goalie after two rounds facing an average of 33 shots, but boasts a solid .914 save percentage. Also, I'd enjoy a few sound bites of Biron yelling sweet nothings to Sidney Crosby.

My Prediction

Fans and writers love to talk about match-ups that are good for the league. Does it get any better than this? Two great fanbases, a nasty rivalry and a little bit of Cinderella... this has the makings to be a classic. I can't picture a scenario where Pittsburgh doesn't win. No slight to the Flyers, as you don't get to the Conference Finals for no reason, but I think the Pens will have an answer for everything Philadelphia has... Pens in 6. Still, I think we're in for an excellent series.

John's Pick

If the way the Flyers and Penguins went it at during the regular season is any indication, this series could end up being one of the most entertaining in recent memory. The Flyers gave it a good run but the loss of Kimmo Timonen will serve as a huge blow to any plans the Flyers had to shut down Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal. Pens in 6.

David's Pick

It's so hard not to build this one up. I want to say best series since Islanders-Leafs of 2002, but anyone who believes in jinxes (99% of hockey fans it seems) will send in the hate mail if that doesn't happen. This just has entertaining written all over it, from the positional match-ups to the media jabs to the fans. Any hole the Flyers have, the Penguins seem to have plugged up. Like Jamie and John, I'm picking the Pens in 6.

Continue reading "Conference Finals Preview 2008"

Canada vs USA: Feel the Hate

North American hockey may be our usual drug of choice around these parts, but with the World Championships on display in North America this month, there’s been a whole lot of NHL stars taking to the ice outside of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

And no game so far has been bigger for Canadian and American fans than today’s matchup.

Says Roy MacGregor in today’s Globe & Mail, these are two teams set “to get their hate on,” and there’s certainly some history to that idea. 

“They hate us and we hate them.”
Keith Tkachuk, 1996 World Cup

Excellent. I thoroughly approve of a little hockey hate.

More information can be found at the links below, and I’ll be posting updates, photos and maybe some odd trivia at the Kukla’s Korner: Canucks & Beyond page throughout the game.  Feel free to stop by and contribute your own photos, commentary, whatever you want.

Canada vs USA - 3:30pm ET
Video: In Canada on TSN & RDS; In the USA, on WCSN (paid sub); International viewers check IIHF
Audio: Fan590 streaming live.
More Info: Complete tournament schedule [PDF], and power rankings.
Team Rosters: Canada [PDF] and USA [PDF]
hockeyfights.com: World Championships forum, World Championships page

Penn Meet-Up

If not for the Sharks refusal to die this round, the best part of the second round of the playoffs was the setup for the Conference Finals between the Flyers and Penguins.

The Sharks playoff run did come to an end though. After six games, four of which went to OT, Brenden Morrow put the series away for the Stars after 129:03 of hockey last night.  It was really the only close series of the round.

After seeing some great first round action, most of the second round simply didn’t last long enough to give it the same feel.  The Flyers and Penguins each took out their opponents in five, and Detroit demolished Colorado.

There was a great recap of The Battle of Pennsylvania a few months ago by Rob Rossi and Joe Starkey of the Tribune-Review (something pointed to back in January).  The two teams fought 13 times in 8 games this past regular season.  There was a real passion on and off the ice for all games, something that will easily continue into the Conference Finals.

Philly and Pittsburgh were nominated for the 2007-08 Best Team Feud, part of the hockeyfights.com Season Awards.

Videos added

We’ve been focusing on minors and juniors lately, here’s a sample:

Josh Beaulieu vs Nicolas Blanchard Jan 5, 2008
Jordan Bendfeld vs Garrett Klotz Feb 29, 2008
Dale Purinton vs Triston Grant Jan 11, 2008
John DiPace vs Mitch Woods Apr 13, 2008
Kevin Westgarth vs Jesse Boulerice Jan 13, 2008

Some reads

Sean Avery out of intensive care
Players in ‘hairsute’ of the coveted Cup
LIers own and manage Crunch, as in punch
Getting to know: Paul Holmgren
Clarke forever the face of the Flyers
Everybody Loves Georges | Laraque goes more than the extra mile

Report: Sean Avery Hospitalized

The NY Daily News is reporting that New York Rangers agitator Sean Avery has been hospitalized.

Rangers bad boy Sean Avery, unconscious and not breathing, was rushed to a Manhattan hospital Wednesday morning in cardiac arrest just hours after his team’s playoff loss, sources said.

Avery, 28, arrived at St. Vincent’s Medical Center about 3 a.m., according to the hospital source. The Rangers had just lost 5-3 a short time earlier in the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden.

Update 1210pm: TSN is reporting that Avery has a lacerated spleen.

Update 1230pm: The Rangers have issued a statement:

He was taken to St. Vincent’s hospital after the game, and was admitted following a CT scan.  He is expected to make a full recovery during the off-season.

Continue reading "Report: Sean Avery Hospitalized"

McCarty Ends Drought

Darren McCarty snapped a ten day streak without a playoff scrap when he dropped the gloves with Cody McCormick in the Red Wings‘ 5-1 win over the Avalanche Saturday afternoon. It was McCarty’s first fight since making his way back to Detroit late last month.

McCarty felt forced to send a message to ensure that Colorado players weren’t planning on pushing his teammates around. McCarty surprisingly found a taker in McCormick, who issued Mac a challenge in an attempt to inject energy into an Avalanche team that was trailing by four goals at the time and are now down 2-0 in the series. The veteran first made sure that McCormick wasn’t trying to goad him into taking a penalty.

From M-Live:

“He asked me to go, I was making sure he wasn’t trying to draw me into a penalty,’’ McCarty said. “There wasn’t much of a staredown, but there was a drawn-out drop-the-glove part. I think we laid them on the ice. It was like, ‘OK, are we going to do this?’ Because you don’t want to do anything silly at this time of year.’’

Playoffs update

Elsewhere in the league…

- The Habs and Flyers are currently deadlocked 1-1. Things are bound to even nastier this evening courtesy of Tom Kostopoulos‘ gloved punch on Kimmo Timonen last game. Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau claims that Timonen started to mock his opponents after a goal. Derian Hatcher says that Carbonneau’s remarks are ‘typical’ of him. No word yet as to whether or not Riley Cote may be in the lineup tonight for Philadelphia.

- The Penguins lead the Rangers 2-0. Hal Gill dropped the gloves and went after Sean Avery due to a slash to Marc-Andre Fleury as time expired yesterday. A scrum ensued but penalties were not handed out.

- The Stars beat the Sharks 5-2 last night to take a 2-0 lead in their series as well. No fights in the first two games.

ECHL book contest ends tonight

If you haven’t already noticed, we’re giving away a copy of the book 20 Years of the ECHL signed by ECHL Commissioner Emeritus Patrick J. Kelly. Those who are still interested in entering the giveaway - see this thread for details. Valid entries will be taken up until 12:00 AM EDT tonight. Winners will be chosen at random tomorrow.

Videos added

Cody McCormick vs Darren McCarty Apr 26, 2008
Jon DiSalvatore vs Bryan Muir Apr 18, 2008
Chris Durno vs Chris Harrington Apr 18, 2008

Conference Semifinals Preview 2008

Montreal Canadiens (1) vs Philadelphia Flyers (6)

Records

Montreal: 47-25-10 (104 pts) Home: 22-13-6 Away: 25-12-4
Philadelphia: 42-29-11 (95 pts) Home: 20-14-6 Away: 21-15-5
Both teams needed 7 games to knock off their first round opponent.

Head-to-Head

Nov 1, 2007 - MON 5 PHI 2
Dec 13, 2007 - MON 4 PHI 1
Feb 16, 2008 - MON 1 PHI 0
Feb 17, 2008 - MON 5 PHI 3
Montreal swept the season series 4-0.

Fighting

Nov 1, 2007 - Michael Komisarek vs Scott Hartnell
Nov 1, 2007 - Tom Kostopoulos vs Ben Eager
Feb 17, 2008 - Steve Begin vs Jason Smith

Lineup

Goaltending: DRAW
Scoring: EDGE Montreal
Defense: EDGE Montreal
Coaching: EDGE Montreal
Grit: EDGE Philadelphia

Schedule

Thu, April 24, 2008
Sat, April 26, 2008
Mon, April 28, 2008
Wed, April 30, 2008
Sat, May 3, 2008
Sun, May 4, 2008
Tue, May 6, 2008

Key for Montreal

Time to wake the power play up. After having the league's best during the regular season, they're operating at under 10%.

Key for Philadelphia

Get to the kids. The Flyers did just about everything they could to get Alex Ovechkin off his game but he's got ice in his veins. Hit them every time they touch the puck and get traffic in front of Carey Price.

My Prediction

As much as it pains me, I'm taking the upset. If Mike Richards & co. can repeat their performance against Ovechkin, they'll cause fits for the Montreal forwards. Philly is getting solid goaltending from Martin Biron and Montreal didn't look very good against 8th place Boston.

David's Pick

Both teams looked very human in the first round, and potentially slower bodies benefits the Flyers. Speed, power play and hitting are all out the window if Carey Price plays well. He had a few lapses in the first round, but prevailed in the end. The Flyers aren't going to let up. Habs in a shaky 7.

Continue reading "Conference Semifinals Preview 2008"

A Taxing Twosome

There were a couple of bouts last night.  Mike Green went with Scottie Upshall (did I hear a “finally”?) early in the third period of the Flyers 6-3 win over the Caps.  The Flyers are now up 2-1 in that series.

The Wild and Avalanche have had a great series so far, and tempers flared last night after the Avs went up 4-0.  No one wanted to go near Derek Boogaard, who acquainted himself with most of Colorado’s roster.  After roughings and misconducts all over the place, Stephane Veilleux and Ian Laperriere dropped the gloves shortly after a faceoff and took some swings before getting tied up.  Todd Fedoruk tried to get at Laperriere at the end of the game, but Lappy wasn’t interested in the Fridge.  Lappy’s also already told the media he wouldn’t consider fighting Boogaard.

Boogaard spoke about his lack of a willing partner:

“They have guys on their team whose job is to open their mouths and try to get us to take penalties on them, and I mean, it’s just not going to happen,” said Boogaard, who ended up taking a 2-minute roughing and 10-minute misconduct in the second period and another roughing penalty in the third period of the 5-1 loss Tuesday.

Boogaard then has some words about Cody McLeod‘s style of play.

“I’m going to laugh when the instigator [penalty] is out this summer because I’m pretty sure [McLeod’s] ... going to be a lot more quiet next year,” Boogaard said. “[The way he plays] is not hockey. That’s not the way it’s supposed to be played. It’s supposed to be played with respect. He doesn’t show respect.”

Elsewhere

- The Habs took a huge game four from the Bruins and are up 3-1 in the series.
- The Ducks went into Dallas and won, 4-2.  The Stars are now up 2-1 in the series where the away team has won every game.  There have been no fights in the series.
- Joe Thornton scored with just 10 seconds left to give the Sharks a 3-2 win.  The series with the Flames is now tied at 2.

Videos added

Stephane Veilleux vs Ian Laperriere Apr 15, 2008
Mike Green vs Scottie Upshall Apr 15, 2008
Ryan VandenBussche vs Stu Grimson Nov 19, 1999 (Round 2)
Ryan VandenBussche vs Stu Grimson Nov 19, 1999 (Round 1)
Chris Murray vs Chris McAllister Feb 28, 1998
Craig Berube vs Turner Stevenson Apr 17, 1995
Dan LaCouture vs Brandon Sugden Sep 22, 2005

Tonight’s games

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators 7:00 PM ET
New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators 7:00 PM ET

Some reads

O’Reilly’s a big fan of Lucic
Lucic gives confidence big bump
Roberts forever young in playoffs
Thornton finally makes his presence felt
Beaten To the Punch
Stanley Cup going to the dogs

Bruise Brothers Book Preview

Former NHL and Red Wings heavyweights Bob Probert and Joey Kocur, along with Bob Duff of the Windsor Star, have a book coming soon.  The Bruise Brothers - Hockey’s Heavyweight Champions will be released June 1.  Michigan In Play! magazine had a sneak peek at it and was good enough to pass along some exclusive excerpts to hockeyfights.com:

For the rest of the story and to find out how you can order an advanced copy of “The Bruise Brothers - Hockey’s Heavyweight Champions” go to http://www.michiganinplay.com and turn to page 21 of the April digital issue of the magazine. The archive section of the magazine contains past columns from Bob Probert.

First Round Tightening

Slow fighting-front, but some good action so far out of the first round.

The one fight last night was from Montreal-Boston.  Guillaume Latendresse and Shane Hnidy threw some punches in-tight after a scrum developed at the end of the first period.

Including the regular season over one third of Montreal’s fights have been against Boston this season.

Marc Savard scored the game-winner in OT for the Bruins.  The series is now 2-1 in the Habs favor.

The Devils took the same route, winning in OT and now trailing the Rangers by just one game.

Philly-Washington‘s tied up, and Calgary came back from being down 3-0 early to win 4-3 and take a one game lead on the San Jose.

Book giveaway

Just a reminder we’re giving away 20 Years of the ECHL. Contest rules | Entry thread

Video added

Guillaume Latendresse vs Shane Hnidy Apr 13, 2008

Tonight’s games

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators 7:00 PM ET
Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators 7:00 PM ET
Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche 10:00 PM ET

Some reads

Agitated Brodeur gets last laugh
Wild tough guy Todd Fedoruk has become a much more rounded player
Flyers’ tough guy Cote happy to be here
Detroit’s McCarty back from rock bottom
Phaneuf takes his boos ‘with a grain of salt’
Guest columnist sees lighter side of Pens’ Laraque

Giveaway: 20 Years of the ECHL

We’re giving away a copy of the book 20 Years of the ECHL signed by ECHL Commissioner Emeritus Patrick J. Kelly.

Mancuso takes readers on a tour that has seen the “East Coast Hockey League” transform from five teams in four states into the “ECHL” with 25 teams across North America.

The book has more than 200 photographs and interviews with league founders Henry Brabham and Bill Coffey as well as former commissioners Patrick J. Kelly and Richard W. Adams and current commissioner Brian McKenna. The interviews help provide insight into the important role that the ECHL played in minor professional hockey in North America, introducing it into four states and 25 cities while returning it to 21 other cities including the historic expansion that added seven West Coast teams for the 2003-04 season.

The author profiles 50 of the most outstanding figures in ECHL history as well as 50 outstanding ECHL alumni who skated in the NHL and 20 of the greatest ECHL head coaches that have moved up the professional ranks.

So how to enter? Easy - go to this thread and make a post. It can be anything, “I’m in” works just fine. Two posts gets you dq’d. Lurkers - it can be your first post, we’re cool with that. Register if you’re not a member already. I’ll ship to anywhere.

Gotta have the book now? The ECHL is selling it directly on their website.

Contest rules | Entry thread

Upon Further Fighting

Jeff Marek of CBC interviewed me for his blog on CBC’s website, Upon Further Review.

Part one consisted of a few fight and site-related questions, along with some younger and AHL players I think you could see make their mark on the NHL soon.

Part two is a couple of top tens: top ten fighters, and the top ten fights from last season.  My top tens are fairly flexible.  Everyone can be moved up or down two spots easily.  Anything can happen on any night which is what makes them fun to do.  I’ll try and highlight both of these lists more soon.

The 2007-08 hockeyfights.com Awards are coming soon, and you’ll be able to pick your top fighter and fight of the year.

On a related-note: I also had a few words with the owner of My Hero Of The Day where I was featured.  Fun, and flattering to say the least.

Cup Hunting Season Opens

Actually, it’s “huntin’”, right?  I’m from New York, so what do I know… either way, the first playoff night was a good one.  Just one fight from the four games last night.

Dean McAmmond shoved Sidney Crosby into the boards.  Crosby returned to his feet, with the puck and went to the front of the net.  As the puck went out of area, Crosby and Wade Redden started shoving and throwing some gloved shots.  The whistle blew and players gathered and Ryan Whitney took on Redden on behalf of his captain.  Whitney wound up getting Redden’s jersey over his head, throwing punches at will before the linesmen moved in.

Just one minute into the game Gary Roberts made his presence felt, scoring the first goal of the playoff season, quickly becoming enemy #1 in Ottawa - again.  Big Georges had the first assist.  Roberts scored again with 1:35 left.  He then picked up 16 PIMs with just 12 seconds left.  It looks like it’ll be a chippy series.  The Pens took the game, 4-0.

Wild comeback fails in OT

The Wild were down 2-0 to the Avalanche going into the third before Mikko Koivu scored a few minutes into the period to bring the Wild within one.  Todd Fedoruk then scored on the power play to tie things up a few minutes after that.  That’s right, a little PP time for the Fridge in the playoffs.  It was all for naught, as Joe Sakic scored the game-winner for the Avs in overtime.

Derek Boogaard was in the lineup, logging 8:56 of ice time.  Mark Parrish left the game with a head injury.  That may lead to Chris Simon dressing for next game.

Video added

Wade Redden vs Ryan Whitney Apr 9, 2008

Tonight’s games

Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens 7:00 PM ET
Nashville Predators vs Detroit Red Wings 7:00 PM ET
Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks 10:00 PM ET
Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks 10:00 PM ET

Some reads

Western Quarterfinals Preview 2008
Eastern Quarterfinals Preview 2008
Not One Extra Minute
In defence of hockey brawls
Goons take night off in Game 1 of Rangers-Devils
Roberts remains Senators’ nightmare
This time, Penguins a true playoff team
Flames head coach reflects on playoff history
Unglamorous, but successful
Simon’s new team is ‘true’
Muscle in spades
Producing Pens’ telecasts a dizzying endeavor

Western Quarterfinals Preview 2008

Detroit Red Wings (1) vs Nashville Predators (8)

Records

Detroit: 53-21-7 (113 pts) Home: 28-9-3 Away: 25-12-4
Nashville: 41-32-9 (91 pts) Home: 23-14-4 Away: 18-18-5

Head-to-Head

Nov 7, 2007 - DET 3 NSH 2 (SO)
Nov 22, 2007 - DET 2 NSH 3
Dec 10, 2007 - DET 2 NSH 1
Feb 12, 2008 - DET 2 NSH 4
Mar 9, 2008 - DET 4 NSH 3
Mar 15, 2008 - DET 1 NSH 3
Mar 20, 2008 - DET 6 NSH 3
Mar 30, 2008 - DET 1 NSH 0 (OT)
Detroit won season series 5-3.

Fights

None

Lineup

Goaltending: EDGE Detroit
Scoring: EDGE Detroit
Defense: EDGE Detroit
Coaching: EDGE Detroit
Grit: EDGE Nashville

Schedule

Thurs, April 10, 2008
Sat, April 12, 2008
Mon, April 14, 2008
Wed, April 16, 2008
Fri, April 18, 2008
Sun, April 20, 2008
Tues, April 22, 2008

Prediction

Of all the potential first round match-ups, Detroit probably didn't want to face a divisional opponent. The Wings were phenomenal playing teams outside of the Central, but Nashville put up a respectable three wins against the best record in the league. There are still questions about Detroit's goaltending, but can Dan Ellis and Chris Mason do any better? Nashville's only chance is to crush the Wings forwards without taking too many penalties. Detroit's offense and defense is too good. Wings in 5 or 6.

David's Pick

Nashville plays Detroit hard, and for a 1-8 matchup, the Wings don't look like they'll blow away the lower seed, but they do look like they can make it to the second round. Wings in 6.

Continue reading "Western Quarterfinals Preview 2008"